I found this show to be really enjoyable, and thought Mass MOCA was a really nice venue. It was my second time seeing Mike solo, the first time was at Toad's Place on 3/6/10. As much as I liked that show, this show really blew me away. The lights and onstage effects are much more elaborate than they were in 2010. I thought the light show was one of the best I've ever seen, anywhere. They had three reflective screens covering the backline of the stage, and had video images set for particular songs. I remember large female eyes during "Face", and some really cool gears everywhere during "Peel". The light up guitars were also pretty interesting, they added even more eye candy to an already colorful show. As far as song selection they played a lot of songs from Overstep, which made me happy, being I really like the album. They opened with a great version of Andelman's Yard, which they had also opened with when I saw them in 2010. The jam in Andelman's Yard has definitely grown a bit since 2010, this version went more "out there" during the jam section, and also seemed longer. Some other highlights for me were "Ether", "Traveled Too Far", "Surface", "Say Something", a cool version of the old Max Creek tune "Jones", and a "Yarmouth Road" encore. The energy level of this show was just great, you could tell the band was really into it. The crowd was pretty cool as well, with a mix of older and younger fans. I didn't see too many over-spun tweakers, or slobbering drunks, which was nice. The artwork in and around the venue made the whole experience extra special, a cool venue makes any show better. I hope they decide to release this show, I'd love to hear it again.

Can we get a setlist, please? And to whoever was taping, would sure love to get a download, hoping it's up on etree soon.

Mirroring the prior review, this was my second Mike show as well, the first being at the Calvin in 2011. That show had it's moments, but honestly left me feeling a bit flat. This one? Holy cow. The band was playing like a band that's been on tour and is synched in and loving it. The new material was great, and it was fun to hear the studio versions I've been spinning jammed out in really well-developed ways. The second set in particular had great flow, and they delivered a real throw-down dance party, with every song having that extra something. Seconding the comment about the lighting, it was so fun and innovative; clearly not in the CK5 style, much more deliberately arty but really effective and intriguing. Peel was great, it really seems to lend itself to long, tripped-out jams, and they delivered. They really funked it up on Mississippi (I think its called) - I hadn't heard it before but its got a great get-down-and-boogie vibe.

I was so engrossed in the music and the lights that I really wasn't paying much attention to the setlist. Sign of a great show, no? But really would like to track down the list and the tape. Anybody?

Great show, as noted above. Drove from Maine for this one and glad I did. Band was locked, Mike was smiling, the venue intimate and the crowd came to boogie. I won't miss any future chances to catch these guys play; Here's hoping this incarnation keeps at it.

...and the FLACs are now up on etree.org! Go get 'em.